A Thing of Beauty: Giovanna Battaglia

I'd like to take a day off from hating Sarah Palin and John McCain (maintaining this level of rage is positively exhausting!), and dwell on something much lovelier. I present the sartorial splendor of one of my favorite fashion icons, the previously featured Giovanna Battaglia.

Her days as Dolce & Gabbana's house model and her work as a stylist have given Giovanna a wardrobe that would be the envy of any fashion editor, but she's not afraid to be photographed in a favorite piece multiple times. She has a knack for switching her shoes and jacket to create a completely different effect using the same dress or trousers or turtleneck, while always managing to look chic and comfortable in her clothes. Giovanna certainly can't be said to have a "uniform," as many fashion professionals do, but there are certain constants to her style. She wears lots of grey and black, and keeps jewelry simple and hair and makeup minimal. Whether in skirts, dresses or trousers, Giovanna always wears a killer heel, and her black Birkin is a constant. She favors labels often thought to be unsexy, like Marni and Prada, but always manages to look far from frumpy without veering into trashy, despite her penchant for short skirts (and who wouldn't, with those legs?).

Sleek and simple, the cut of this dress is perfect, and the oversized gold earrings and grey suede clutch add just enough interest to the outfit without overpowering.

When Giovanna does wear color, she usually limits it to a single bold item. She lets the red dress take center stage by pairing it with black and grey neutrals.

She wears Prada's high-waisted satin skirt beautifully with a demure blouse and leopard print sandals, keeping hair and makeup as simple and minimal as possible.

Slim grey trousers toughened up with gold toe LV shoes, an oversized bag, and a bit of fur.

The same pants worn with chic gold accents and a basic turtleneck look very Audrey H.

Same grey top, but a totally different look paired with mustard yellow trousers and an Hermes scarf.

Giovanna in shades of grey with a Dolce & Gabbana dress, brown leather belt and her favorite turtleneck.

The picture of French chic in nautical-inspired separates at Paris fashion week

Giovanna wears a puffer coat over a chunky knit B&W; sweater dress with boots and cap for day...

...then switches shoes, adds an elbow-sleeve jacket and long gloves for evening.

same puffer coat and boots as above, but different sweater dress.

Giovanna wears her high waisted plaid pants from Prada with a classic elegant blouse and neutral coat.

Then trades the coat for a shrunken leather jacket and cozy turtleneck for a completely different feel.

The Prada pants one more time, with a metallic satin blouse under a little vest for a more casual look.

In a gorgeous dove grey coat, her frequently worn Prada sandals and Hermes Birkin.

The Prada sandals again, this time with a Marni dress in shades of grey and a bit of green in her earrings.

(photos from The Sartorialist, Jak & Jil, and style.com)